The No. 2 Bulldogs fell to No. 8 South Carolina, 62-51, in the SEC Tournament final Sunday at Bridgestone Arena.

This is the third straight season that MSU (32-1) has lost to South Carolina in the tournament championship.

MSU was never able to play its high-tempo style and struggled from 3-point range. The Bulldogs shot 3 for 19 from 3-point range.

The Bulldogs trailed 60-51 with 1:51 left, and had several opportunities to further cut into the lead, but failed to make a few layups.

The game featured the worst first half of the season for the Bulldogs.

Mississippi State trailed 30-19 at halftime and was held to only five points in the second quarter. Teaira McCowan was whistled for two fouls within the first 3:30 of the game, went to the bench and never re-entered in the first half. The Bulldogs shot 23.1 percent from the field and recorded only one offensive rebound in the first half.

Blair Schaefer (1) dribbles around the top of the key against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the first half of the SEC Conference Tournament championship game at Bridgestone Arena.
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Mar 4, 2018; Nashville, TN, USA; Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs head coach Vic Schaefer reacts after a call in the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the first half of the SEC Conference Tournament championship game at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
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